Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dr. Rand Paul, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, has joined a bipartisan group of 15 other Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Biden, urging him to end the extradition request and halt all prosecutorial proceedings against Australian publisher Julian Assange. The letter aims to protect free speech and freedom of the press.

In the letter, the Members emphasize the importance of journalists' duty to seek out sources and document evidence in order to inform the public about government activities. They argue against pursuing an unnecessary prosecution that could criminalize common journalistic practices and potentially stifle the work of the free press. The Members urge President Biden to bring the case to a close as quickly as possible.

The letter was signed by a diverse group of lawmakers, including Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY-04), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO-07), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT-02), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO-01), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14).

The full letter can be read HERE.

This call to end the prosecution of Julian Assange comes at a time when the role of journalists and the protection of press freedom have been subjects of intense debate. Dr. Rand Paul and his colleagues are advocating for the preservation of free speech and the ability of journalists to carry out their work without fear of prosecution.

The post on Senator Rand Paul's website emphasizes the bipartisan nature of this effort, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle joining forces to support Julian Assange. The inclusion of lawmakers from different states and districts demonstrates a widespread concern about the potential chilling effect on the press if the prosecution continues.

The letter to President Biden shows a united front in urging him to take action. It highlights the importance of protecting the work of journalists and ensuring that they can fulfill their role in informing the public about government activities. Dr. Rand Paul and the bipartisan group of lawmakers are calling for a timely resolution to this case, emphasizing the need to preserve the principles of a free press.

As the debate surrounding Julian Assange's prosecution continues, this bipartisan effort adds weight to the growing calls for a reevaluation of the charges against him and the potential impact on press freedom. The voices of Dr. Rand Paul and his fellow lawmakers amplify the concerns about the criminalization of journalistic practices and the potential consequences for the work of the free press.

The letter to President Biden serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the fundamental principles that underpin democracy, such as free speech and freedom of the press. It is now up to the administration to consider the concerns raised by Dr. Rand Paul and his colleagues and to decide how to proceed with the case against Julian Assange.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-joins-bipartisan-letter-urging-the-u-s-to-end-prosecution-of-julian-assange/